Solid Tumours

Solid tumours encompass a diverse set of neoplasms arising in organs and connective tissues, distinct from haematological malignancies. They are defined by uncontrolled proliferation of cells that invade surrounding tissues, induce local stromal remodelling and disseminate to distant sites via lymphatic or vascular routes. Key hallmarks include sustained proliferative signalling, evasion of growth suppressors, resistance to cell death, induction of angiogenesis, tissue invasion and metastasis. Clinically, solid tumours are staged by size, nodal involvement and presence of metastases, and graded by differentiation and proliferative indices. Treatment paradigms combine surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies—targeted agents, immunotherapies and cytotoxics—and increasingly rely on molecular profiling to guide precision approaches. Despite advances, resistance mechanisms and tumour heterogeneity remain major challenges to durable control.

Research from Nature Portfolio

In a randomised phase II trial for patients with BRAF V600‐mutant metastatic melanoma, initial dual immune checkpoint blockade followed by BRAF/MEK inhibitors achieved superior four‐year survival compared with the reverse sequence or an induction‐switch strategy. Longitudinal biomarker analyses identified JAK‐loss-of-function alterations and low baseline interferon-γ levels as predictors of sustained benefit across both modalities, informing personalised sequencing of targeted and immune therapies.

A machine‐learning study applied seven algorithms to predict distant metastasis in stage T1 gastric adenocarcinoma using large‐scale registry data. A random forest model integrating age, tumour size, T and N stage, grade and anatomical site achieved the highest performance (AUC 0.94 in internal validation; 0.75 externally), stratifying patients for intensified surveillance. Prognostic analysis demonstrated that timely surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival among those with metastases.

Solid Tumours publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in solid tumours across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Checkpoint inhibitor: Antibody blocking immune-regulatory proteins (e.g. PD-1, CTLA-4) to enhance T-cell–mediated tumour killing.

BRAF/MEK inhibitor: Small-molecule drugs targeting mutated BRAF kinase and its downstream MEK kinases to interrupt MAPK signalling.

Random forest model: An ensemble machine‐learning algorithm constructing multiple decision trees to improve predictive accuracy.

Angiogenesis: Growth of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, often co-opted by tumours to secure nutrient supply.

Deferred surgery: Strategy delaying surgical resection in favour of initial systemic therapy to assess disease biology.

References

1. Sequential immunotherapy and targeted therapy for metastatic BRAF V600 mutated melanoma: 4-year survival and biomarkers evaluation from the phase II SECOMBIT trial. Nature Communications (2024).
2. Application of machine learning algorithm in predicting distant metastasis of T1 gastric cancer. Scientific Reports (2023).
3. Angiogenic signaling pathways and anti-angiogenic therapy for cancer. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2023).
4. Comparison of Immediate vs Deferred Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients With Synchronous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Receiving Sunitinib. JAMA Oncology (2019).